Ranks.indd

This free download takes a brief look at cor-

rect formal terms of address when speaking to
members of the Church or a Sacer Ordo.

It is perfectly acceptable to use a superior’s

military or church title by itself or by adding his
surname, such as in answering a question (“Yes,
Field Master,” or, “No, Cardinal Davis”).

When talking to a social inferior or equal, you

can generally get away with fi rst names only. Car-
dinals don’t go around calling each other Your
Excellency, for instance. Only the Pope has no
equals or superiors.

CHURCH, ADMINISTRATIVE

Archdeans and deans use the honorifi c address,

“Monsignor.” They are introduced as The Rever-
end <full name>, <title> of <Curial offi ce>.

Secretaries are introduced as <Secretarial

rank> <full name> of the <Curial offi ce>.
They are addressed either as “<Secretarial rank>
<surname>” or simply by their rank.

Primicerii are introduced as Primicerius

<full name> of the <Curial offi ce>. They are
addressed as “Primicerius <surname> or “My
Lord Primicerius.”

Cardinals are introduced in a rather more

formal fashion. The full and proper usage is His
Eminence, Cardinal <surname> of the <Curial
offi ce>. The correct term of address is “Your Emi-
nence.” Less formally, they may be referred to as,
“Cardinal <surname>.”

Nuncios receive the formal introduction of

Envoy of His Holiness the Pope, Nuncio <full
name>. They are addressed as, “Nuncio,” or more
formally, “My Lord Nuncio.” Aides are simply
referred to “Monsignor” and formally introduced
as Nuncio-Monsignor <last name>.

CHURCH, ECCLESIASTIC

Priests are introduced as Father <full name>,

and formally addressed as, “Your Reverence.”
Most parishioners simply use Father, followed by
the priest’s fi rst name, such as Father Michael.

Archpriests are addressed as regular priests, but

introduced as Archpriest, Father <full name>.

Archdeacons and deacons are referred to

as, “Lord Reverend” or “Your Lordship,” in
honor of their position. They are introduced as
The Reverend Father <full name>, <title> of
<cathedral>.

Bishops are introduced as The Most Revered

<full given name>, the Bishop of <bishopric>
and addressed as, “My Lord Bishop” or, “My
Lord.”

Archbishops are introduced in the same manner

as bishops, though with the title archbishop. They
are addressed as, “Your Excellency.”

The Pope is always addressed as, “Your Holi-

ness,” and introduced simply as His Holiness,
Pope <name> or His Holiness, the Pope.

CHURCH, MONASTIC

Monks and nuns carry the titles “Brother”

and “Sister” respectively and are introduced as
Brother or Sister <fi rst name>. Outside their
monastery, the suffi x of the monastery/convent of
<name> is added.

Father and mother superiors are introduced

as the Reverend <given name>, Father/Mother
Superior of the monastery/convent of <name>.
They are referred to when speaking to them
simply as, “Reverend Father/Mother.”

Abbots and abbesses are introduced as The

Very Reverend Abbot/Abbess <given name> of
the abbey of <name>. They are addressed as,
“My Lord Abbot” or, “My Lady Abbess.”

RANKS, TITLES, HONORIFICS

NECROPOLIS 2350

SACRI ORDINES

Sacer Ordo titles shown here are the basic

versions. Chaplains and Knight below Precep-
tor Master can add their Battle name, Squadron
name, Banner letter, and Lance number to their
formal introduction, though such would only
normally be done when meeting a true notable,
such as one of the four leaders of the Knight’s
Ordo or the Pope.

Chaplains are formally introduced Padre<full

name>, Chaplain of the <Ordo> and addressed
as “Padre.”

Knights are formally introduced as Sir or Lady

<fi rst name>, <honorifi c> Knight <specialty>
of the <Ordo>, such as, “Sir Henry, Seraphim
Knight Artillerist of the Ordo Lazarus Sanctus.”
When addressed, the correct form is, “Sir,” regard-
less of sex. The surname by itself is only used by
social equals or superiors, and even then usually
only when giving orders. Senior Knights insert
<honorifi c> Senior Knight after their name.

Knight Commanders are introduced as Lord

or Lady <full name>, <honorifi c> Knight
Commander of the <Ordo>. Such Knights are
addressed as, “My Lord” or “My Lady.”

Certain specialists within a Preceptory hold

unique titles all suffi xed by the word Preceptor.
For instance, the head of the Preceptory’s civilian
population is the Preceptor Estate Manager, while
the head of the administration is the Preceptor
Administrator. While accorded the same respect
as a Knight Commander, they are very rarely of
this rank.

These individuals are introduced as <honor-

ifi c> Preceptor <occupation> <full name> of
the <Ordo>. When addressed, the correct form
is “My Lord/Lady Preceptor,” except for the Pre-
ceptor Chaplain, who is addressed as, “My Lord
Chaplain.”

Preceptor Masters are introduced as Lord or

Lady <full name> of the <Ordo>, <honorifi c>
Preceptor Master of <Preceptory>. Such nobles
are addressed as, “My Lord/Lady Knight.”

Field Masters are introduced as His or Her

Grace <full name> of the <Ordo>, <honorifi c>
Field Master of the Commanderie of <name>.
They are addressed as, “Your Grace.”

The four commanding offi cers of each Ordo

are addressed as, “Your Excellency.” When intro-
duced, they take the title, His or Her Excellency,
<position> <full name> of the <Ordo name>.

For instance, Sandra O’Flaherty would be intro-
duced as, “Her Excellency, Grand Master Sandra
O’Flaherty of the Ordo Lazarus Sanctus.”

PAPAL RECOGNITION

Ranks within the Sacri Ordines are few and

they are very hard to achieve. Most Knights never
reach the rank of Senior Knight, despite decades
of service. Medals and decorations are unknown,
for the Church believes that offering material
rewards for doing one’s duty leads to pride and
envy, as well as reckless behavior. The fi rst two
are sins, while the second is just foolhardy.

However, the Pope has accepted that Knights

who serve the Church in battle for long periods
of time deserve more recognition. As a result of
the Pope’s enlightenment, a new naming conven-
tion is introduced in 2351. It is also a great public
relations exercise, as everyone loves a hero.

More importantly, from a Church perspective,

Knights earn these titles through continued duty
and obedience, as well as living longer, not by
taking unnecessary risks. As such, the new titles
only represent experience, not command respon-
sibilities or heroic actions.

Player character Knights who reach the charac-

ter Rank of Veteran receive the honorifi c “Throne”
in front of their regular title. Those who become
Heroic are honored with the title “Cherubim.”
Readers should note that true cherubim are not
the winged, pudgy-faced children of the Victo-
rian imagination, but rather more awe-inspiring
creatures. Legendary characters carry the title
“Seraphim.”

Thus, a hero may be a Seraphim Senior Knight,

Cherubim Knight Scout, or Throne Knight
Combat Engineer.

For NPCs, the WM should use the honorifi cs

as he sees fi t based on the needs of his game.
In general, the higher the honorifi c, the better
skilled the Knight should be.

Typically, up the Knight’s important skills by

one die type if he is a Throne Knight, two die
types if a Cherubim Knight, and three steps for a
Throne Knight. If the die increases above a d12,
add the Professional or Expert Edge as applica-
ble. Skills cannot rise above a d12+2. Instead,
the Knight gains the Master Edge.